Career and Education Opportunities for Manicurists in Lubbock, Texas

For those living in the Lubbock, Texas area, there are many career and education opportunities for manicurists. There are currently 3,980 working manicurists in Texas; this should grow by 36% to about 5,420 working manicurists in the state by 2016. This is better than the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for manicurists are expected to grow by about 18.8%. In general, manicurists clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails.

A person working as a manicurist can expect to earn about $8 per hour or $18,050 yearly on average in Texas and about $9 hourly or $19,670 yearly on average in the U.S. as a whole. Compared with people working in the overall category of Personal Care, people working as manicurists in Texas earn less. They earn less than people working in the overall category of Personal Care nationally.

There are two schools within twenty-five miles of Lubbock where you can study to be a manicurist, among nine schools of higher education total in the Lubbock area. Given that the most common education level for manicurists is a post-secondary certificate, you can expect to spend a short time studying to be a manicurist if you already have a high school diploma.

CAREER DESCRIPTION: Manicurist

Manicurist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, manicurists clean and shape customers' fingernails and toenails. They also may polish or decorate nails.

Manicurists clean and sanitize tools and work environments. They also advise patrons on nail care and use of products and colors. Equally important, manicurists have to apply undercoats and clear or colored polish onto nails with brushes. They are often called upon to shape and smooth ends of nails, using scissors, files, and emery boards. They are expected to remove previously applied nail polish, using liquid remover and swabs. Finally, manicurists treat nails to repair or improve strength and resilience by wrapping, or furnish treatment to nail biters.

Every day, manicurists are expected to be able to articulate ideas and problems. They need to understand what others are saying to them even in a noisy environment. It is also important that they control and manipulate objects at a fine level of detail.

It is important for manicurists to attach paper forms to tips of customers' fingers to support and shape artificial nails. They are often called upon to brush powder and solvent onto nails and paper forms to preserve nail appearance and to extend nails, then remove forms and shape and smooth nail edges using rotary abrasive wheel. They also decorate patrons' nails by piercing them or attaching ornaments or designs. They are sometimes expected to roughen surfaces of fingernails, using abrasive wheel. Somewhat less frequently, manicurists are also expected to clean customers' nails in soapy water, using swabs, files, and orange sticks.

Manicurists sometimes are asked to polish nails, using powdered polish and buffer. and soften nail cuticles with water and oil, push back cuticles, using cuticle knife, and trim cuticles, using scissors or nippers. And finally, they sometimes have to whiten underside of nails with white paste or pencil.

Like many other jobs, manicurists must be reliable and have strong self control in the face of challenging situations.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Manicurist Training

South Plains College - Levelland, TX

South Plains College, 1401 S. College Ave, Levelland, TX 79336. South Plains College is a medium sized college located in Levelland, Texas. It is a public school with primarily 2-year programs and has 6,714 students. South Plains College has a one to two year program in Cosmetology/Cosmetologist which graduated fifty students in 2008.

Lubbock Hair Academy - Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Hair Academy, 2844 34th St, Lubbock, TX 79410. Lubbock Hair Academy is a small school located in Lubbock, Texas. It is a private for-profit school with primarily less-than 2-year programs and has 22 students. Lubbock Hair Academy has a less than one year program in Nail Technician/Specialist and Manicurist which graduated one student in 2008.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Lubbock, Texas

Lubbock, Texas photo by Voltin

Lubbock is situated in Lubbock County, Texas. It has a population of over 220,483, which has grown by 10.5% over the last ten years. The cost of living index in Lubbock, 79, is well below the national average. New single-family homes in Lubbock are priced at $171,700 on average, which is below the state average. In 2008, nine hundred twenty-nine new homes were constructed in Lubbock, up from eight hundred eighty the previous year.

The top three industries for women in Lubbock are health care, educational services, and accommodation and food services. For men, it is educational services, construction, and accommodation and food services. The average commute to work is about 16 minutes. More than 26.6% of Lubbock residents have a bachelor's degree, which is higher than the state average. The percentage of residents with a graduate degree, 9.3%, is higher than the state average.

The unemployment rate in Lubbock is 5.3%, which is less than Texas's average of 8.1%.

The percentage of Lubbock residents that are affiliated with a religious congregation, 59.7%, is more than both the national and state average. Pentecostal Holiness Church, Philia Temple Church of God and Christ and Pilgrim Baptist Church are all churches located in Lubbock. The most common religious groups are the Southern Baptist Convention, the Catholic Church and the United Methodist Church.

Lubbock is home to the South Overton Residential Historic District and the Kress Building as well as Lowery Field and Rocky Johnson Field. Visitors to Lubbock can choose from Barcelonacourt of Lubbock, Circus Inn and Carriage House Inn & Suites for temporary stays in the area.